"Berlin, 22nd December.
President Loubet has sent "his personal congratulations to H. M. the Kaiser on his full recovery.
mas in Potsdam.
M. the astor will celebrate Christ-The political situation in the Far East is apparently becoming more serious. It is in that Russia will not make any concessions to Japan in regard to Manchuria. Tt remains to be seen whether she is preed to make enough concessions to Japan Corea. and whether the Tokio Cabinet is strong enough to resist the warlike public opinion. The expensiveness of war preparations on both sides is surely aggravate ary. party in la is also desirous of ing the situation. It seems, that the milit-
that el be iaiutai is consider having war. Notwithstanding the outlook,
of war, Opinions pointing in. this tires. ed si to outweigh the probabili
tion have been exchanged to-day between "the German Government and: the representatives of both Japan and Russia, 24th December.
The "Kélnische Zeitung" receives a from St. Petersburg according to which Grand-Duke Alexander Michaeloyich was acting together with other most influential persons against the outbreak of war, at least for a postponement of the conflict. They hope to achieve this, between others, by a transfer of the negotiations from Tokio to St.. Petersburg.
The Frankfurter Zeitung " learns from London that Russia is making concessions to Japan with regard to Corea for the sole acti purpose of. gaining time for further armaments, But Japan was demanding territorial guarantees in Corea to be safeguarded against any future attack of Russia, The pessimism of the English and French pressabout.the Far East question is not: shared by the respective governments.
(Grand Duke Alexander is a brother-in-Jaw of the Czar and president of the Council for Trade and Navigation in the Ministry of Finance.—The Editor, " 0.A..")
7 Later.
The "Russian Commercial Telegraph Bureau" in Berlin is informed from St. Petersburg. that -Japan's answer to the Russian note was received there yesterilay. It contains absolutely nothing' that can [,'ause any fear with regard to war; on the trary, it renders it possible that the conciliatory spirit from both sides.
satiations will be continued in a more 27th December.
Mr. Zanardelli, the late president of the Italian Cubinet, is dead of cancer of the stomach, aged 74, and Prof. Schifile, a well known German economist and statesman in Stuttgart, of disease of the kidneys.
The following: telegrams are from the "Kale Herald":— ondon, 15th December.
The Novoe Vremya" publishes an article by Sirouyat Nikoff, a well-known Russian writer. The article declares that Russia cannot restore either the whole or a chu " the writer says, is now recog-portion of Manchuria to China. The Manis thing of the past.
'The "Morning Post article on the situation declares that itis Grent Britain' we rt Japac.—Mainichi.
picking as 16th December, Ibis reported from St. Petersburg that Government circles there are angerly the probable altitude of the United States with regard to Manchuria, Mainichi."
London, 18th December.
The Russian Press openly advocates the annexation of Manchuria. The ' Novoe Vremya," in a very provocative article, states that Japan dare not press her demands, much less deliver un ultimatum. Tt declares that the Msnchurian question affects 'China and Russia alone. With: regard to Corea, it says that Russia cannot even allow Japan the southern half of that country, for' fear that the Russiaa sea communication between Vladivostok and Port Arthur might be destroyed.—"Mainichi."
Seoul, 18th December.
The Official in charge of the Mokpo Governor's Office submitted a false report to the Government, alleging that the Japanese marines from the cruiser Saiyen attacked the Corean coolies. The official was punished by the Government.
Twenty Corean police officials were sent to Mokpo to-day to keep order amongst the natives there.
The Japanese residents, who addressed a letter to Mr. Hopkins, disclaiming all for their hasty sotiog, and friendly relations friendship with him, have now apologis have been restored between the Customs and the Japanese residents.—' Mainichi."
Ye Kon-taku, Acting War Minister, has called at the Japanese Legation, and denied the alleged conclusion of a secret military agreement between Russia and. Corea. Mr. Hayashi will call on the Coreani Foreign Minister in the course of a few days and confirm the statement made by the Acting War Minister.—" Jiji."
London, 19th December.
Russia complains of the United States. It is thought that that country is disposed to "assist Japan. The recent American ivi ing the opening of Moukparticularly complained of—Mai-
Peking, 20th December.
It is said here: that Russia has granted the Japanese demands with regard to Manchuria, which consisted of twelve articles, and that she has now made more concessions on this matter than has Japan. There are reports to effect that these concessions have occasioned serious difficulties among the members of the Russian Government.
The Japanese Govenment yesterday forwarded their reply to the Russian proposals which were submitted on the Lith just, The reply constituted a severe rebuke to Russia. Japan demanded a reduction of the troops guarding the Manchurian railway, and the withdrawal of the whole of the Russian forces from Manchuria. Japan also asked for a pledge that Russia would not lodge any protest if Japan procured enjoyed by Russia, The Japanese reply vileges in the Yalu valley equal to those lias already been conveyed to Great, Britain and America, and it is confidently believed that it has secured the entire sympathy of both those Governments.—' Mainichi,"
Seoul, 20th December.
The Russian Minister to Seoul has for warded an official note to the Corean Government, demanding an explanation about the fending. of fifty Japanese soldiers at Chemulpo and seventy at Fusan. The Corean Government, the day before yesterday, replied to the Russian Minis'er to the effect that it.bad nothing to do with the Innding of the Japanese soldiers. 'The Corean Government will see to the matter. The Russian Minister, thereupon, 0 note to. the Japanese' Minister at Seoul. Mr. Hayashi called at the Russian Legation yesterday to convey his congratulations on the occasion of the anniversary of the Czar's accession. He told M. Pavloff that the Japanese soldiers landed at Chemulpo and Fusan were to be stationed along the Seoul-Fusan telegraph lines. These fruards will number 400 Se ay a8 agreed in the Japan-Russian Convention, The Russian Minister sent a telegram on the affair to St. Petersburg.—'Mainichi."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.